samples 1

The first of a series of posts (mostly photos) on some knitted samples I am making for an idea I have.

The first six

I am not particularly conscientious about sampling for handknitting, although I do do it- though only for jumpers and the like. I have even got into the habit of washing and blocking my swatches, a very grown-up habit. But for this, I am really into it! Looking at patterns and their rhythms, as well as tension and the ideal fabric for this project, is beautiful, and the fact that the samples are done on my vintage knitting machine means that the whole process is actually viable time-wise…

(For those not familiar with them, these motifs are part of a massive collection of pattern cards put out by knitting machine card manufacturers over the last fifty or so years. The whole concept is amazing, as the cards are multipurpose and can be used for a number of different stitches- inevitably, I got stuck on their application on colourwork, because I am mad on patterns and colour, but they are equally beautiful when used in slip, tuck and weave. One of my knitting machine heroes, the lovely, patient and generous Christine, inherited a huge box of them, many very old, and let me rummage through- and man, was I in heaven.

So I am working my way through the pile of the most promising cards, making swatches using the ends of balls and shades that I don’t want to use for anything else. Which means that the colours in the samples are not what I imagine for the end product and that I end up with a motley, disparate collection of swatches. But it feels good to use all those small odds and ends. Makes room for the many colours I’ll be bringing into the little room, if all goes well.

Recycled shetland and lambswool yarn

Noro waves

Deco-inspired

Pyramids

I’d love to know if there are any patterns that you particularly like or dislike… Or colour combinations that do or might work for you. A little bit of market research. And a warning- there’ll be more in the next little while so please be patient with me- very excited!

They’re beautiful! Probably my favorite is the green leaf/tree motif one in the center, but they’re all rather gorgeous. I also quite like the mid-century modern abstract pattern on the right in the shetland/lambswool swatch. Also, the art deco one. (Gosh Raynor, why not just list all of them again… blerg)

Thanks everyone : ) it is great to get such positive feedback on them- though I was hoping you’d help me cull more as I’m going to find it hard to choose between them all! I guess it is a bit hard to be without knowing what the application is. I’ll ask for more brutal assessments once the prototypes are done.

What lovely samples! I think the muted colours work very well together, even though they’re not your intended colour palate. My fav patterns are the ‘olive one’ the first in the line-up and the tree/leaf one (the third sample). But they all have potential!

Oh, all of them look so good! That’s not a particularly helpful answer though. I really like the pattern on the left in the recycled shetland. Colourwise, I like the pyramids combo of a lighter brown with a darker brown.